Combination wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus



Jan. 19, 1965 o. H. HEBERT COMBINATION WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS Filed sept. 27. 196s 5 Sheets-Sheet l O. H. HEBERT Jan. 19, 1965 COMBINATION WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-SheerI 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1963 Jan. 19, 1965 o. H. HEBERT 3,155,758

COMBINATION WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1963 5 Sheelzs-SheefI 3 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invezabal:

covzeggs Jan. 19, 1965 COMBINATION WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 19, 1965 o. H. HEBERT COMBINATION WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1963 United States Patent Office 3,155,758 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 3,165,753 COR/@INATIN WHEEL STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS Omer H. Hebert, 652 Eastern Ave., Fall River, Mass. Filed Sept. 27, 1953, Ser. No. 313,144 9 Claims. (Cl. 5-83) This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 276,827, now abandoned.

This invention relates to mobile stretchers and litters of the type used in hospitals and more particularly to a stretcher having means mounted thereon for lifting patients from hospital beds, operating tables and the like.

When treating patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions, it often becomes necessary to move them from one location to another in order to gain access to stationary treatment facilities such as operating rooms, X-ray machines, etc. If the patients are partially or totally incapacitated and unable to walk, this procedure must be accomplished through a physical lifting and transporting of the patient by nurses or other hospital personnel. In situations where the patients are heavy or where their conditions can be seriously aggravated by rough movement, harmful consequences can sometimes follow from the improper performance of this task.

More over, the procedure of physically lifting and displacing a patient from a bed to an alternate supporting surface such as a movable stretcher usually requires the concerted effort and combined strength of several nurses. For example, in moving a patient from a bed to another location, a stretcher or litter must first be placed adjacent the hopsital bed. A number of nurses then surround the bed and stretcher and grasp the bed sheet upon which Vthe patient is lying. By simultaneously lifting and pulling the sheet laterally across the surface of the stretcher, the patient is then partially lifted and partially slid onto the stretcher. At best, this procedure will involve some discomfort to the patient. Moreover, where hospital staffs are limited, it is sometimes diflcult or impossible to acquire a sutlicient number of personnel to properly perform this task. Consequently, the patient may be subjected to rather abrupt movements and jarring blows which will in turn result in further discomfort and perhaps even an aggravation of his physical condition.

Consequently, a general object of the present invention is to provide an improved means of facilitating the safe and efficient handling of partially or thoroughly incapacitated patients in hospitals cr other institutions.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a mobile stretcher having mounted thereon improved means for lifting and displacing a patient from a bed to said stretcher, whereupon the patient may subsequently be Wheeled to an alternate location to again be lifted and deposited safely on another bed, hospital table or other alternate supporting surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of safely and efciently lifting and transporting patients operable `by one person without the need to resort to the aid of other hospital personnel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination mobile stretcher and lifting apparatus capable of being locked in position adjacent a hospital bed, said stretcher further provided with extensible bracing means for avoiding the possibility of its being upset by the patients weight during subsequent vertical and horizontal movement of the patient.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. l is an elevational View in partial section taken along line 1 1 of FIG. 2 showing one embodiment of the .applicants invention utilizing a hydraullically powered lifting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View in side elevation taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the hydraulically powered combination wheel stretcher and lifting .apparatus positioned adjacent a hospital bed with the lifting arms raised and extended over the surface of the bed and the bracing legs extended thereunder.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the hydraulic system used to vertically and horizontally displace the lifting arms assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View of the body support cushions.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view in partial section similar to FIG. l showing the alternate embodiment of the applicants invention incorporating an electrically powered lifting apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is aV sectional view in elevlation taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 6 showing the electrically powered combination wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus positioned adjacent a hospital bed with the lifting arms raised and extended over the surface of the bed and the bracing legs extended thereunder.

The combination hydraulically powered wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus generally indicated at 1t) will now be described `with reference to FIGS. 1e6. The basic stretcher frame is comprised of two generally U-shaped spaced tubular members 12 inverted and interconnected at their upper ends by two transverse horizontally disposed bracing members 1d. As will hereinafter be described, members 12 are enclosed by attached side panels Sti braced at their lower ends in a transverse direction by tubular bracing and guide members 16 and in a longitudinal direction by depen-ding bracing members 13. Thus it can be seen that the basic frame of the wheel stretcher `ttl is of a box-like configuration integrally fabricated to provide a light-weight high-strength assembly. U-shaped tubular members 12 are further provided at their lower extremities with caster assemblies generally indicated at Ztl and comprised of wheels 22 rotatably mounted on axles extending through curved bifuricated members 2d. Members 24 are in turn swivel mounted as at 26 in order to` provide the stretcher with mobility in all directions. In addition, each caster assembly 2t) is provided with a foot operated braking mechanism 28 mounted on curved member 2d. Thus it can be seen that the stretcher frame is provided with maximum mobility and maneuverability through the use of a plurality of said caster assemblies. After the stretcher has been positioned in close proximity to the hospital bed as shown in FIG. 3, foot operated braking mechanisms 28 are actuated by the opeartor in order to lock the stretcher in place and prevent its accidental displacement away from the bed during subsequent movement of the patient.

An outer metal housing comprising side, end and top panels 3d, 32 and 33 is provided in order to enclose the above-described tubular frame structure. Supporting brackets 34- are attached to side panels 3l) by bolts indicated typically at 36 in order to contain the end extremities of horizontal tubular bracing and guide member 16.

It should be noted at the present time that in addition to providing a means of laterally bracing the lower portions of stretcher assembly 10, tubular members 16 also extend through sleeves 38 (see IFIG. 2) positioned transversally through movable support member 40. Thus it can be seen that support member dit may be slidably displaced along tubular members 16 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher assembly 1t). The distance of its displacement `will be limited by the inwardly disposed, faces of support flanges 34 positioned at each extremity of members i6.

The hydraulic means of horizontally and vertically displacing the lifting arms will now be discussed. Horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinder 42 containing extensible piston rod 43 is mounted on support plate df in turn attached to depending bracing members 11.3. Extensible piston rod d3 is provided at its end extremity with an L-shape bracket 46 in turn connected to movable support member itl by a rearwardly extending connecting7 member dll. As can be seen in lilG. 2, extension of piston rod 43 will result in the horizontal displacement of movable support member 40 along the longitudinal axes of tubular support and guide members lo in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stretcher assembly. Although full extension of piston rod 4T carrying L-shaped bracket de will result in its positioning beyond the side of the stretcher' as indicated in FIG. 3 at dea and dSa, its vertical position with respect to the lower structure of the bed will permit said extension without striking the bed at any point. ln addition, since this extension places the piston beneat the bed, it will not create obstacles to the movement of the operator around the bed and stretcher.

Referring now to FlGS. 2 and 3, extensible telescoping masts t) and 52 are mounted on the end extremities of movable support member itl and extend upwardly therefrom. Lifting arm assembly 54@ having outwardly extending integrally fabricated lifting arms collectively referred to by the reference numeral 5d and individually indicated at 56a, 56h and 56C is provided with depending tubular brackets S8 adapted to receive the upper extremities of extensible masts Sil and 52. A second vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder o@ containing extensible piston rod 62 is mounted on platform tid which is in turn mounted on movable support member di?. Piston rod 62 is in turn engaged within a third tubular flange ofdepending from lifting arm assembly Sd. Thus it can be seen that by extending piston rod 62, lifting arm assembly 54 having lifting arms 55 extending outwardly therefrom can bc vertically displaced with respect to movable support membei' Kill. ln addition, as movable support member rtl-l is horizontally displaced by the operation of hydraulic cylinder 42, the lifting arm assembly 5dwill also be horizontally displaced through a corresponding distance. Elongated slots 63 are provided in top panel 33 in order to permit free horizontal movement of the masts 5d and 52 and the extensible piston arm 62. Thus it can be seen that by operation of hydraulic cylinders 42 and 6d, both vertical and horizontal displacement of lifting arms 56 is made possible.

The hydraulic system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to cylinders 42 and et) will now be described. Depending platform 68 attached to transverse tubular cross members 7) by depending end plates 7l is provided in order to support the hydraulic unit generally indicated at 72. It should be mentioned at this time that tubular cross members 76 are attached to depending frame members 18 and also axially contain extensible bracing legs 74, the function of which will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the sequence of operation of the hydraulically powered stretcher.

The hydraulic pump unit is comprised of a pump 76, motor 78 and hydraulic fluid tank Sil. The pump is connected to hydraulic cylinders i2 and o@ by suitably located flexible hydraulic lines (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4). Control valves 82 and 8d having upwardly disposed control handles 86 and 88 are connected intermediate pump 7d and cylinders 42 and o@ in order to selectively control the flow of fluid to and from each of said cylinders. Motor '78 can be powered from a rechargeable storage battery 9i) as illustrated or by the use of an extension cord plugged into a wall outlet providing standard AC.

current. p

The operation of the hydraulic system will now be described with particular reference to FlG. 4. Stop-start l switch 92 is actuated in order to start motor 73 and pump 76 and thereby build up pressure in feed lines 9d and 9o. Vrhen the operating handles of valves 32 and Se are in the intermediate position as indicated at S6 and 8S, liuid is not allowed to flow in either lines @8 and litl, lines M2 and Mld, or return lines 106 and 168. VIn this manner, the pistons 62 and d3 slidably contained within cylinders dll and i2 are held stationary.

Movement of handle do to a position indicated at Sea will cause fluid flow in lines 93 and llltl and return line lud as indicated by the solid arrows, thereby result in the lowering of vertical piston rod 62. Reversal of handle S6 to position gdb will cause fluid flow in lines @8 and lill) and return line lilo as indicated by the dotted arrows, resulting in the raising of piston 62.

Similarly, movement of handle 88 to 38a will cause fluid iiow in lines M92 and llld and return line 1% as indicated by the solid arrows and will result in withdrawal of piston rod t3 within cylinder d2. Reversal of handle 83 to Sb will cause fluid flow as indicated by the dotted arrows and will result in the extension of piston rod 43.

The procedure to be followed when using the applicants hydraulically powered combination wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus in lifting a patient from a hospital bed will now be described. Prior to placing the wheel stretcher in close proximity to the hospital bed Mii. as illustrated in FlG. 3, a body support cushion il@ is rst placed under the patient by the operator. Although the cushion may not be required in all cases, its use will avoid any Contact between the extensible arms of the lifting apparatus and the patients skin during the lifting procedure and may be desirable in certain instances. The cushion may take the form of several pads H2 combined to form an integral E-shaped unit as illustrated in PG. 5, or may be comprised simply of individual pads. lt should be noted at this time that each pad M2 is provided with an axially positioned trapezoidal receiving channel lll-tdesigned to receive therein in slidable insertion lifting arms 5d. Following the positioning of the support pads beneath the patients body, the hydraulic stretcher is then Wheeled into position adjacent the hospital bed as shown in FIG. 3. Care must be taken at this point to align the lifting arms 5o with the receiving channels lid in support pads M2.

The wheeled stretcher is then prepared for the lifting operation by first actuating each wheel brake 28 in order to lock wheels 22 and thereby prevent accidental movement of the stretcher away from the bed during the actual lifting operation. Extensible bracing legs 74 are then disengaged from their respective storage brackets lll and extended beneath the bed to a position indicated at 74a as shown in FIG. 3. In this manner, greater stability is provided for the hydraulic wheel stretcher during the lifting procedure and any possibility of its tipping under the patients Weight is prevented. Having completed these preparatory steps, the operator may now assume a position adjacent the hydraulic wheel stretcher in a position which enables him to manipulate the operating handles S6 and 8S of hydraulic valves 82 and 8d, yet maintain a clear view of the patient during the lifting operation. in addition, when so positioned the operator may extend one arm over the patient in order to prevent any possibility of his falling from the arms.

The hydraulic pump unit Sli is then actuated by operating stop-start switch 92. Handle 86 of valve 82 is then moved to the right to Sb in order to raise piston 62 and lifting arm assembly 54 to a level corresponding to the level of the receiving channels 1111.. in pads M2. When the proper level is reached, the handle is returned to its intermediate position at 86 in order to retain the lifting arms at said proper level. Handle SS of hydraulic valve 3dis then pushed to the left to 335 in order to extend 1 piston 43 and thereby advance movable support member 40, masts 50 and 52 and lifting arms 55a, Sb, and 56C towards the patient. In this manner, the arms are inserted within receivingchannels 114 and to the right in order to further extend piston 62 and thereby raise the lifting arms with the patient positioned thereon abovethe level of the hospital bed. Although the downward force exerted by the weight of the patient on the extended lifting arm assembly 54 .will result in a cantilever force tending to tip the stretcher assembly, the extended bracing members 74 will furnish a steadying action effectively preventing the tendency ofthe hydraulic wheel stretcher to be upset under this force.

Handle 88 of valve S!- is then moved to the right to a position indicated at 85a in order to retract piston i3 and thereby retract lifting assembly S4 from its extended position over the bed to a position over the hydraulic wheel stretcher. In this manner the patient is removed from the bed without jarring or sudden movements. Handle 86 of valve 82 s then moved to the left in order to retract piston 62 and thereby lower lifting arm assembly 5d and the patient to its original position on the hydraulic stretcher.

The hydraulic unit 72 is then shut olf, bracing legs 7d retracted to their storage position on brackets 116 and the wheel brakes disengaged. The stretcher with the patient safely positioned therein is then ready to be wheeled to an alternate position where a reversal of the aforementioned steps will results in his safe positioning on an alternate supporting surface.

Having thus described the construction and operation of the applicants hydraulically powered apparatus, t'ne description will now proceed with a discussion of the alternate electrically powered embodiment. As can be seen in FlGS. 6 to 8, the frame structure of the apparatus remains basically unchanged. Tubular bracing members 16 continue to extend through sleeves 38 positioned transversely through movable support member ttl in order to provide a means of guiding its horizontal lateral movement within the stretcher structure. However, the cross section of the lateral support member 4t) has been changed slightly to incorporate a box-like configuration in place ofthe I-beam shown in FIG. 3.

The lifting arm assembly 54 having outwardly extending integrally fabricated arms 56 is again provided with downwardly depending tubular brackets 58 adapted to receive the upper extremities of extensible masts Sil and 52. The masts are mounted on each end of movable support member 40, providing a means of guiding the vertical displacement of the lifting arm assembly 54.

The electrically powered means for horizontally and vertically displacing the lifting arms will now be described. A variable speed electric motor 126 is mounted on platform 122 in turn attached to the upper surface of movable support member dit. Gear box 124 serves to transmit torque from the output shaft of motor 120 to a drive sprocket 126 mounted on an intermediate shaft 127. The intermediate shaft extends outwardly from the gear box in a direction transverse to the output shaft of motor 120. Drive sprocket 126 is in turn connected through drive chain 128 to a driven sprocket 136 keyed to a second horizontally disposed shaft 132 extending transversely within the stretcher structure with its extremities rotatably supported within bearings 134. Bearings 134 are attached to the inner faces of side panels 3@ by screws indicated typically at 135. As can best be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, `shaft 132 is provided with threads 133 extending over most of its length. The threads 133 are engaged by` a horizontally disposed nut 136 also mounted on platform 122.

It can therefore be seen that by actuating motor 120, shaft 132 is rotated within bearings 134with the result that nut 136 will be driven in a horizontal direction along threads 133.` This of course will result in an accompanying horizontal displacement of support member it@ along tubular support members 16. By reversing the direction e of rotation of motor 120, support member 40 may be displaced in an opposite direction.

A similar construction is provided for the vertical dis-` placement of the lifting arm assembly 54 with respect to support member 4t). More particularly, movable support member 40 is additionally provided with a downwardly extending angular bracket138 to whichis mounted a second variable Speed motor 14th Motor 140 operating through gear box 142 transmits power to a drive sprocket 144 in turn connected through drive chain 146 to a driven sprocket 14h. The driven sprocket is keyed to a vertically disposed shaft 150 rotatably supported at its lower end within bearing 152 contained within movable support member 463. The upper extremity of shaft 150 is rotatably contained within a second bearing 154. Bearing 154i is attached to the horizontal extension 156 of an upwardly disposed support bracket 158 fixed at its lower extremity as by welding to movable support member 4t).

Vertically disposed shaft 150 is also provided with threads indicated typically at 160, said threads engaged by a second vertically disposed nut 162 positioned between two spaced supporting members 164 depending downwardlyV from a support block 166 in turn attached to the lifting arm assembly 54 by means of screws indicated typically at 168. It should be noted that the sides of horizontal extension 156 are spaced slightly from the inwardly disposed surfaces of supporting members 164 in order to avoid any interference with their vertical displacement as shaft 156 is rotated.

With this construction, it can be seen that by actuating variable speed motor 14h, vertically disposed shaft 150 will be rotated, in turn resulting in the vertical displacement of nut 162 along threads 160. This in turn will result in a vertical displacement of the lifting arm assembly 54 guided by the extensible telescoping masts 5t) and 52 mounted on the ends of movable support member llt).

In order to prevent accidental damage to the components caused by an inadvertent over-extension of the lifting arm assembly 54 in either direction, limit switches 17@ and 172 are connected between the control switches and motors 11M? and 121). Limit switches 176 are mounted on a vertically disposed bracket 174`extending upwardly from movable support member 4d. Switches 17) are so positioned as to be tripped by a finger 176 extending outwardlyy from one `of the supporting members 164. Thus it can be seen that as the lifting arm assembly Sd is vertically displaced, finger 176 will engage one of the switches 17@ as the Lipper or lower limit of the vertical travel is reached. In a similar manner, limit switches 172 are mounted to horizontally disposed frame member 7i) and are so positioned as to be Atripped by the lower surface of movable support member 40 as it is laterally displaced within the stretcher frame structure. With this construction, the inadvertent over-extension in either direction of movable support member It@ is prevented.

It is my intention to cover all changes and modifications of the invention herein chosen for purposes of dis-` closure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

l. A combination mobile stretcher and lifting apparatus for lifting a patient yfrom one supporting surface on a hospital bed, operating table or the like and subsequently canrying `said patient to an alteunate supporting surface comprising: .an elongated mobile stretcherI frame having braking means associated therewith for locking said frame adjacent said one supporting surface; horizontally disposed lifting arms movable vertically on said frame powered; elevational means for raising and lowering said lifting arms; and powered extension means for horizontally extending and retracting said lifting arms in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stretcher frame; said powered elevational and extension means centrally controlled by `an operator positioned xadjacent said stretcher frame whereby said arms may be raised and drew/5s extended to an inserted position between said' patient and said supporting surface, subsequently raised above said supporting surface and thereafter, retracted `and lowered in order to remove said patient from said supporting surface to fa supported position on said stretcher.

2. A mobile stretcher for lifting and transporting rcclining patientsfrom the supporting surface of a hospital bed, operating table or the like and subsequently/'depositing said patient on an alternate supporting surface comprising the combinationof: a cushioning and ybody supporting member adapted for insertion between the patients body and said supporting surface, said member provided with a' plurality of laterally extending longitudinal extensions, said extensions internally provided with longitudinally axially disposed receiving channels; a mobile stretcher frame provided at its lower extremity with swivel mounted wheels, braking means operatively connected to said wheels for klocking said frame in a position adjacent said supporting surface; horizontally disposed extensible lifting arms movable vertically on said frame; elevational means for raising said arms from a first lowered position on said frame to a second raised intermediate position corresponding to the level of said cushioning and body supporting member when inserted beneath the body of a patient lying on said supporting surface; n sans for horizontally extending said arms in :a direction transverse to the length of said stretcher frame from said second raised vintermediate position to a third extended position under said patient in order to axially insert said arms within said receiving channels; said elevational vmeans capable of further raising the combination of said outwardly extending lifting arms, said cushioning and body supporting members land said patient to a fourth raised position above said supporting surface; means for horizontally rctracting said arms lfrom said fourth raised position to a fifth position over said` frame in order to remove said patient from said bed or operating table; andmeans for lowering said arms `from said fifth `position to said first position whereby said brakes may be unlocked and said mobile stretcher supporting said reclining patient moved to another bed, operating table or the like, said means for extending and retracting said `arms and said elevational means controlled from a control means centrally positioned on said mobile stretcher frame.

3. A mobile lift construction for lifting reclining patients from hospital beds, operating tables or the like and transporting said patients to alternate beds or tables cornprising the combination of: a pluralityl of longitudinal body supporting cushions adapted for insertion between the patients body and the supporting surface of said hospital bed or operating table, said cushions fabricated of resilient material and internally provided with lont-'itudinal axially disposed receiving channels; la mobile stretcher frame comprising rlp-rights provided at their lower extremities with swivel mounted wheels, said uprights interconnected by transverse bracing members to provide a rigid frame construction; braking means operatively connected to said wheels for locking said frame in position adjacent said supporting surface; horizontally disposed lifting arms movable vertically on said frame; powered elevational means controlled from a central control station on said frame for raising said arms from a first lowered position over said frame to a second raised intermediate position corresponding to the level of said receiving channels; powered means controlled from said central control station for horizontally extending said arms from said second position to a third extended position under said patient in order to `axially insert said arms within said receiving channels; said elevational means capable of raising the combination o-f said outwardly extending lifting arms, said body supporting cushions and said patient lfrom said supporting surface to a fourth raised position whereby said means for outwardly extending said arms can be lretracted and said elevational means lowered to place said patient on said stretcher.

4.' A mobile stretcher for lifting and transporting reclining patients from the supporting surface of a hospital bed, operating table or the like and subsequently depositing said patient on an alternate supporting'surface com: prising the combination of: 4al pluralityV of longitudinal body supporting cushions adapted for inser-tionbetween the patients body and said supporting surfaces, said cushions internally provided with longitudinal axially disposed i receiving channels; a mobile stretcher frame supported ou :swivel mounted wheels; braking means operatively connected to said wheels for locking said frame in position adjacent said hospital bed or operating table; horizontally disposed lifting farms movably mounted'on said frame; a first hydraulic means for raising said arms from afirst lowered position overrsaid frame to a second raised intermediate position corresponding to the level of said receiving channels; a second hydraulic 'means for horizortally extending said arms from said second position to a third extended position under said patient in order to `axially insert said arms within said receiving channels;

said rst hydraulic means capable of further elevating the t combination of said outwardly extending lifting arms, said body supporting cushions and said patient from said third position to a fourth raised position `'above said supporting surface; said second hydraulic means thereafter capable ofhorizontally retracting said arms from said fourth position to a fifth position over said frame in order to remove said patient from said bed or operating table;

said first hydraulic means thereafter being depressed to tally mounted on said frame and extending in a direction parallel to the direction of horizontal displacement of said extensible lifting arms, said first hydraulic cylinder provided with an extensible piston operatively connected to a horizontally movable cross member; a second vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder mounted on said cross member for horizontal displacement therewith, said second cylinder provided with anextensible piston operatively connected to said lifting arms; said first and second hydraulic cylinders operatively connected to said hydraulic pump and motor unit; control means connected intermediate said hydraulic pump rnotor unit and said first and second hydraulic cylinders for independent operation thereof,

6. The combination as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by extensible bracing means mounted on said frame and capable of being extended outwardly therefrom in order to impart additional stability to said mobile stretcher during the lifting of said patient from said hospital bed or operating table.

7. A combination mobile stretcher and lifting apparatus for lifting and transporting a recliningpatient from the supporting surface of a hospital bed, operating table or the like and subsequently depositing said patient on an alternate supporting surface comprising the combination of: a plurality ofk longitudinal body supporting cushions adapted for insertion intermediate the patients body and said supporting surface, said cushions internally provided with longitudinal axially disposed receiving channels; av

mobile stretcher frame comprising uprights provided at their lower extremities with swivel mounted wheels, said uprights interconnected by transversev bracingmembers to provide a rigid frame construction; braking means operatively connected to said wheels for locking said frame in a position adjacent said hospital bed or operating table; horizontally disposed lifting arms movably mounted on said frame; first and second hydraulic means for horizontally and vertically displacing said lifting arms with respect to said frame, said first hydraulic means comprising a substantially horizontal cross member extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame, said member capable of lateral horizontal displacement within said frame, a iirst hydraulic cylinder horizontally mounted on said frame and extending in a direction normal to said member, said first cylinder provided with an extensible piston operatively connected to said member, a second hydraulic cylinder mounted on said member and extending upwardly therefrom, said second cylinder provided with an extensible piston operatively connected to said lifting arms, a hydraulic tank, pump and motor unit mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said rst and second hydraulic cylinders, and control means connected intermediate said first and second cylinders and said hydraulic pump unit for independently operating said first and sec-` ond cylinders whereby said lifting arms may be inserted within said receiving channels and subsequently raised and horizontally withdrawn in order to remove said patient from said hospital bed or operating table.

8. A combination wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus for lifting horizontally reclining patients from one supporting surface to an alternate supporting surface comprising the combination of: a mobile stretcher frame having brake means associated therewith for locking said frame in a position adjacent said one supporting surface; extensible lifting arms movable vertically on said frame; a body supporting cushion inserted between said patient and said one supporting surface, said cushion having arm receiving passages extending transversally therein; powered elevational means mounted on said frame and operable to raised and lower said lifting arms; powered extensible means also mounted on `said frame for laterally extending and retracting said arms; said powered elevational means and extensible means responsive to centralized control means operated by a single operator, whereby said body support cushion may be inserted beneath said patient and said lifting arms raised and extended to an inserted position within said arm receiving passages, said lifting arms thereafter further elevated and retracted to remove both said patient and said body supporting cushion from said one supporting surface in preparation for movement to said alternate supporting Surface.

9. A combination wheel stretcher and lifting apparatus for moving a patient from one supporting surface to an alternate supporting surface comprising: a. mobile stretcher frame having braking means associated therewith for locking said frame in an operative position adjacent said one supporting surface; elongated lifting arms movable vertically on said frame; powered elevational means operable to raise and lower said lifting arms; powered eXtensible means for horizontally extending and retracting said lifting arms in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes thereof; said powered elevational means and said powered extensible means responsive to centralized controls on said stretcher frame adapted for operation by a single operator, whereby said lifting arms may be vertically and horizontally displaced into an inserted position between the patient and said one supporting surface and thereafter further elevated and retracted to remove said pa ient from said one supporting surface in preparation for movement to said alternate location.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,829,274 10/31 Gilroy 5-86 X 2,035,840 3/36 Sechrist et al. 5--86 2,192,821 3/40 Torines 5-83 2,218,883 10/40 Jones 5--81 2,500,739 3/50 Beem 5--81 2,854,673 10/58 Ramsey 5--86 2,987,734 6/61 Littleton 5-86 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION MOBILE STRETCHER AND LIFTING APPARATUS FOR LIFTING A PATIENT FROM ONE SUPPORTING SURFACE ON A HOSPITAL BED, OPERATING TABLE OR THE LIKE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CARRYING SAID PATIENT TO AN ALTERNATE SUPPORTING SURFACE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED MOBILE STRETCHER FRAME HAVING BRAKING MEANS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH FOR LOCKING SAID FRAME ADJACENT SAID ONE SUPPORTING SURFACE; HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED LIFTING ARMS MOVABLE VERTICALLY ON SAID FRAME POWERED; ELEVATIONAL MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID LIFTING ARMS; AND POWERED EXTENSION MEANS FOR HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING AND RETRACTING SAID LIFTING ARMS IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID STRETCHER FRAME; SAID POWDERED ELEVATIONAL AND EXTENSION MEANS CENTRALLY CONTROLLED BY AN OPERATOR POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID STRETCHER FRAME WHEREBY SAID ARMS MAY BE RAISED AND EXTENDED TO AN INSERTED POSITION BETWEEN SAID PATIENT AND SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE, SUBSEQUENTLY RAISED ABOVE SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE AND THEREAFTER, RETRACTED AND LOWERED IN ORDER TO REMOVE SAID PATIENT FROM SAID SUPPORING SURFACE TO A SUPPORTED POSITION ON SAID STRETCHER. 